To make matters worse, the article mentioned the likes of Bo Derek, Cara Delevingne, Rita Ora, Kristen Stewart, Alexander McQueen and Madeline Brewer (Tricia from Orange Is The New Black, smh), as pioneers of the style, making it elegant, chic, and less “Urban”. Can we go back to the thought that Tricia is considered a pioneer? Are you kidding me?
To be honest, I kept reading to see if there would be any mention of anybody Black, but alas, we were not mentioned, not even a factor in this new chic, elegant development. Not even Queen Bey was mentioned, and she had some in the other day that made all of the news!
To make matters even more worse, Cornrows are only chic if they are not done as a couple on the side and on the right person with the right clothing. Well then, isn’t that something. Note to self: when doing Cornrows, it is better to be subtle, and not full blown gangsta with a full set. Ensure that my style looks like what’s her face Kardashian, who was praised for her version earlier this year.
How does this happen?
I will tell you how it happens: part of it is us and our mentality not being proud of what we have, and what we stand for; always giving away our power to others seeking validation in other cultures and races.
Don’t even pretend like we do not do that because we do. No disrespect to Eminem, but contrary to popular belief, he is not the greatest rapper alive. He is good (great even), but not the greatest. BET has its problems, but when some of the most influential in our music and acting industry prefer to skip those awards and attend the MTV music awards, regardless of what they win, it makes you wonder what drives that decision.
If you are featured in a Black hair magazine, you will feel great about it, but if you were featured as a style icon in Vogue, that’s a whole different ball game! Now you are relevant; now you have ‘made it”. Kanye West, as crazy as he is, will die if his so called collection and fashion sense is not validated by high fashion designers in Europe. To him, that validation is what matters, not his own – not ours, which is one example of how warped some of us can be.
Now I am no fool: of course money drives this. Another reason this happens is that we are not spending our coins in our communities. We have to continue to support Black businesses, Black media, feature our styles, support our sisters and brothers in hair, beauty and fashion, making our products and traditions a force to reckon with.
Cornrows are not cool because the LA times made them cool; it was always cool. An article which would have spoken about where Cornrows came from, and its place in the Black community, would have made it at least somewhat rooted in the truth.
We have some pretty cool stuff: art, music, inventions, and even hair. Let’s make it cool, before someone else takes it from us and does it some justice, without even asking us for a reference.
Oh and PS, we are calling it “Rows” now, leave off the corn – that’s too urban!
Anna Ogonji Smith says
I’m from a small town that has about an equal number of black, white and Latin families. Anyway I was wondering what’s the real meaning of urban. The dictionary says one thing, but on tv it looks like urban means black!
BlackHairInformation.com says
Great question Anna, I read somewhere the other day that it is now the safe way to say “ghetto” “gangsta” “nig**” – so while it is defined one way the meaning takes on its own life
Shanice Sahel says
Our braids aren’t ghetto!
Tora-Joy Patrick says
This is some bull crap
Keisha Banzai Blandon says
Um. Are we really surprised? Non “urban” people have been stealing our shit and trying to perfect it and claim it as their own for years. Now if it were the other way around, black girls with straightened/relaxed/weaved hair would be “trying to be European.” But I digress. They’ll never be able to steal our skin Complexion though. They’ll get skin cancer before they can. Only thing we have left. =/
Catherine Durand says
This bs has to stop. First Cyrus created the “twerk”. Kim is the reason reason why big butts are popular. Then Gucci is selling Durags as “hair caps”. Iggy and Macklemore is the king and queen of hip hop. Elvis is considered king of rock and roll. Now cornrows are more chic and edgy because they are doing it?? F.O.H.They take credit but won’t give credit where it’s due.
Belinda Trotter says
“They” have been stealing from us for centuries! Plain and simple
Wendy Jean-Louis says
Don’t forget how jazz, rhythm and blues, etc. It’s really funny.
Kari Henry says
This is ridiculous. Cornrows were always beautiful. It’s the way people want to wear their hair. It shouldn’t been seen now as more chic because it’s less urban. Wtf?
Akudo Anyanwu says
I don’t usually comment on these controversial topics but that is rather insulting. On the other hand though, they do not determine or define my “chicness” or elegance, that is up to me and me alone. Their ignorance remains their burden, not mine.
Sherryce Henderson says
Not urban but cultural! ..so sick n tired of this…but let a black man or woman wear them n its ghetto. .thug..criminals…clutch ur purse n head across the street! …gtfoh!
Belinda Trotter says
Your speaking the truth! White women stop me all the time, saying ” oh your hair is so nice and different. Does it hurt or how long does it take?” Some old bs like that. It’s a shame!
Sherryce Henderson says
N they wanna touch so bad!…step back heffas!
Evetta Banks says
They will forever be urban this is silly
Kelly Jamila says
eh.. never really liked cornrows or thOught they were appealing *shrug* so doesn’t really bother me o_o;
Donna Level says
F the LA Times, why not just say it’s ok to wear them when white people start.
Makela M Hutchins says
Wth
Amina Brooks says
Less Urban huh
Tina M. Williams says
Huh????
Fatima Ross says
So if certain folks do it or wear it its all good?? Smh it take for them to clam what is yours for mainstream to accept it i guess.. we are the creators and originator of many many things..
Cheree Davian says
ethnic hairstyle…dumb mfs
Steen How says
0.0 WWWTTTHHH?! White people have been trolling Black people for all trends for eons, eras, generations, years, and forever and ever! Whoever let this publish in LA is a piece of donkey dung! White people cannot be that naïve to think that they had anything to do with creating the cornrow staple that we have always done. And without mentioning one black woman, especially Cicely Tyson! …I’m done smh
Nyca Anthony says
Nothin is ever ok until “they” do it…ijs
Selket Colaire says
Mainstream media is so full of s**t!
Sherri Taylor says
So silly we just couldn’t wait for trends. We own them.
Tafara Tapfumanei says
When black people do its ghetto, when white folk do it its chic kmt
Maya Woodall says
Smfh…they still tryna be us
Nicole Ghatt says
Always trying to be something their not…thats why we call them wishy washy
Christina J Pollard says
Sooo now I’m urban and it’s “rows” and not cornrows?!? Trollers smh
Nina Lansiquot says
Effing cheek..
Pame Peyton says
White people have stolen everything else from everyone else!!! The only things original to them is lying, stealing, and killing others and their idea’s, property, and dreams!!!~~~
Kendra Maybe says
Your unhappy because “they” didn’t accept cornrolls. Now your STILL unhappy because they do accept cornrolls??!?!?1 #confused #SHM Sound like this author is having a personal problem with self image. Someone secure in their self image wouldn’t give a rat’s…about getting or NOT getting validation from others. I personally deem it a compliment.
Tiffany Williams says
Bitch please!
Maria Robertson says
Catherine Durand I couldn’t have said it better myself
Tay Blackmon says
Less urban now that white women are wearing them? Gtfoh!
Karma Amanfi says
Afros are next on the theft list.
Kelli Mcghee says
I work in a white salon
White co worker comes in one day with her hair teased
Says its an Afro looked ridiculous
Laura Jehue Mabon says
GTFOH
Kristin Douglas says
Idgaf
Nessa Rene'e says
That was an insult
Lacresha Hall says
I might need to bring my cornrows back and keep it 100. Ignorance is infuriating.
Ma'a Georgette says
dat’s why i hate them, they always think that they are superior. F**k u all
Aaron Michael says
more foolery i see.they was “chic” when my brothas and sistas were wearing them and will be “chic” when my brothers and sisters stop wearing em
nubiennze says
While I agree that we should resist the tendency to seek “mainstream”/white supremacist validation, I do NOT agree that we are responsible for outsider’s appropriation of the culture THEY denounce as inferior.
monniej says
all i can say is BOOM! miss Petra! drop the mic and exit stage left…
Shaniqua L Leach says
I share the outrage that has been expressed here. I don’t understand how people could look over that article and think it was okay to publish. Personally, I’ve begun sending them a barrage of tweets @latimes letting them know how inaccurate and offensive this “article” was. Too often, the anger of the black community when it’s directed at blatant disrespect like this is brushed off as overreacting or doing the most. I highly recommend you ladies who share my offense take to social media to express it. Otherwise, this will just be another thing we got mad about with no answer. I think they should at least publicly acknowledge that cornrows are a Black hair style and that the article was written in bad taste.